Which of the following is NOT a communication barrier related to noise?

Noise, in the classic Shannon-Weaver model, is anything that distorts a message between sender and receiver. Barriers of this kind are usually grouped as physical, semantic, psychological and cultural noise.

• Perceptual problems (A) are a genuine barrier. Each person reads the same message through their own filters, so the meaning received differs from the meaning sent.
• Information overload (B) is also a genuine barrier. When the receiver gets more input than they can process, key points are dropped or distorted.
• Cultural differences (D) are a standard barrier. Language, norms and non-verbal cues vary, and this distorts interpretation.
• Dyadic archetypes (C) is not a communication barrier at all. 'Dyad' only means a two-person interaction, and 'archetype' is not a recognised category of noise. This is the option that does not belong.

The concept links to Mains GS-IV on ethics in administration and to GS-II on citizen-government interface. Clear feedback loops, active listening and plain-language drafting are the practical remedies a civil servant should know.

Trap: Aspirants often pick B, thinking 'information overload' is not really noise. Recognise it as a standard barrier in the textbook list, and eliminate C on the strength of the term itself.